8 organisation tips you haven’t heard before

A recent survey done by Choosi found that the majority of Australian households are cluttered. General odds and ends, clothing, footwear, old appliances, electronics and other novelty items were found to be the worst culprits that cause clutter. And while many people desired a less-cluttered home, many don’t know where to start.

Anotherstudy by UCLAin the US found that clutter has a profound effect on our mood and self-esteem. The research found that a messy space can cause feelings of anxiety, helplessness and feeling overwhelmed.

While you don’t need to battle all the clutter in a head-on collision right now, there are a few quirky ways you can increase the functionality and organisation of your home. This will result in less stress and mess, leaving you free to deal with the annual spring clean and clutter clean out at your own pace.

We asked professional organiser,Jo Carmichael, for some of her more unusual tips for getting your home organised and functional.

If your pantry is a mess…

Any parent out there will know that having children means things go missing, and in a couple of minutes the house can go from neat & clean to upside down. Keeping your pantry neat and tidy is a mission all of its own, so why not incorporate a kids snacks shelf?

This shelf is a real game changer, making a space in the pantry which kids are allowed to access will keep them from rifling through the entire cupboard, enabling you to keep it Carmichael and orderly most of the time. Make this shelf or designated area within easy and accessible reach. The great thing about a snacks shelf is you can manage what the kids eat by only storing healthy foods, and limiting the volume of what you put there.

Sue Stubbs

If you want to spend less time in the kitchen…

Place large bowls or flat platters of apples, pears, mandarins or bananas out on coffee tables or in eye sight of the kids’ vision. Many years ago, when my three were little, we were visiting at a friends’ home where she had an enticing bowl of apples on the coffee table. I think they ate a few each while we chatted and caught up. With hungry kids, healthy options with little mess that require no preparationCarmichael get the thumbs up from me. To this day, we have a platter of oranges on the coffee table for instant healthy snacking.

If you need more storage…

Many homes will have clutter and unnecessary items floating around on the kitchen bench. To help keep the benches clear try using wall hooks or cubes to keep things like keys and notes organised. There are many quirky hangers you can make yourself or for sale in homeware stores that can look decorative while also being functional. Likewise, a ladder is great for leaning against a wall to house magazines, clothing that has been worn once but isn’t ready for the wash, or towels used in either the bathroom or by the pool.

If you’re sick of messy cupboards and shelves…

A typical lazy Susan is generally located on the kitchen table, but believe it or not they are great for most places around the house for storage as well. You can purchase/make your own lazy Susan from local hardwares to fit in different areas of the home. Placing one in your cupboard will make life so much easier when it comes to accessing items. Rather than delving through multiple containers in your cupboard, you can easily spin the lazy Susan around with items at your fingertips.

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If you can’t part with family heirlooms…

A vintage silver plated biscuit barrel no longer has the air tight seal necessary to store biscuits. However, by repurposing it as a container for candles it still has function and form. When there is a black out or candles required for the table you’ll always know where to look. Give your family heirlooms new practical, functional purposes so they aren't simply creating clutter.

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If you want tables, shelves and side tables to look neater…

When placed on top of a chest of drawers, old boxes, lids and mirrors can be vessels for storing jewellery, makeup, perfume or other accessories, and make it super easy to select something that goes with your outfit before heading out the door each morning.

Brigid Arnott

If you want to iron less…

In honour of the Koni Mari method, created by Japan's decluttering professional Marie Kondo. The most revolutionary Kondo tidying tool is her folding technique. In short: Rather than haphazardly laying things flat in a drawer, they should stand upright; the more folds there are, the less wrinkled the item will be once ready for wear. While the space-saving benefits are pretty far-reaching, Kondo’s other objective is to grant clothes—everything from coats to sweaters to socks—the respect they deserve by touching, appreciating, and properly storing each item.

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If you’re out of hanging space…

With business shirts, if you not able to hang them, place a piece of cardboard on top of your shirt and fold each arm crossing over it, and fold the bottom of the shirt up. You will create a well-presented shirt in your draw. Use this technique for your basic shirts as well, not only does it look presentable and neat, its a great way to store them.

Laura BarryLaura Barry is a writer, bookworm and interior design enthusiast with a love for reporting on all things homes and lifestyle. When not tapping away at her keyboard, Laura can be found making endless cups of tea or perusing the shelves of Sydney’s many bookstores.